U of Iowa fined for safety violations

Granted, we do not have coal silos, but…

I wonder if someone’s raise was affected????

 

Monday, August 22, 2005

UI fined for safety violations after fire

The University of Iowa Main Power Plant was fined $22,500 on July 26 following a safety inspection by Iowa Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). The inspection was conducted in the aftermath of a July 24 fire in one of the plant coal silos. During the fire, an employee was exposed to flames and smoke while removing coal from the silo. No injuries occurred during the silo fire, and total damage was less than $5,000. The Iowa City Fire Department assisted the plant in clearing the silo of the burning material.

Six citations were filed in connection with the fine. They were for failure to have available a comprehensive written emergency action plan and procedure for responding to a coal silo fire; failure to have performed a formal personal protective equipment hazard for the task of removing burning coal from a silo; failure to make readily available the carbon dioxide inerting system installed for extinguishing fires; failure to have a formal procedure developed and in place for preventing a fire from occurring in a coal storage silo; and failure to deal promptly with the fire because of the lack of a formal procedure for handling a coal silo fire. In addition, inspectors found that an electrical fan had outer electrical insulation pulled from the plug.

An internal university safety investigation was also completed and identified a number of recommendations to improve coal handling procedures and safety at the facility. "A number of circumstances lined up to cause this incident," says Ferman Milster, UI associate director for utilities and energy management. "We're grateful there were no injuries and only minor damage. The internal investigation and IOSH inspection confirmed we have a lot of work to do improving our procedures and process for handling this sort of situation, and we're working now to make those improvements, not only to comply with regulatory requirements, but to be sure we have the safest, most efficient work environment that we can reasonably maintain."

The Main Power Plant is the sole source of steam energy for the University campus and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. It is a combined heat and power facility that also generates about 30 percent of the electric power used on campus. Steam is used year round for heating, chilled water production, and other research and process loads.

 

Where can I find that article I missed last month?

Check out http://www.findarticles.com/ as the one place to find articles that you might have been missing.  Whether it is safety related or sports, or even the latest gossip, you might just find it here.

Beat me, slap me, call me a teacher, but ...

I had an interesting enlightenment this week.  I am not qualified to do the job I teach people to do.  Seriously, the issue of qualifications based on 20+ years of experience in safety and way too much education does not qualify any one for a job, particularly in the government.  Just a kind of a highlight to what made me come to this realization.  I decided to try for a government position.  It was an aggressive position (GS-15), but based on the description and requirements, I thought, for the opportunity, I would try for it.  I went through the web based process and loaded in my information.  It seemed strange that it would only allow you to post your last 6 positions on the form and the supplemental block has a character limit so you can’t add everything that you have done.  But what I did list seemed to me to cover every thing that I have done.

So I receive immediate notice that I am not qualified for the position.  I make a phone call to find out what was missing.  Well, you do not have the experience or education for the job.  You have no military background.  Interesting and the block that I filled in for the VRA and the information regarding the military service is not a dead give away?  But what I failed to do is list my work in one of those 6 past positions.  Ok, I have had has many different positions during the last 10 years.  Oh..  It is called government contracts, teaching, consulting, etc.  Oh… Am I to list all of my work?  Oh yes you should do a chronological listing of your experience.  Ok, then why only 6 blocks?  Heck, how many active duty stay at one location long enough to make that work?  So 22 years of military service, combined with another 10 years of safety work, and teaching, of course. Uhmmm.  Lack the education?  Not sure what that exactly means.

So I am not going to let this rest so I send my resumes (2) and my transcripts (3) to the service center via email explaining what I think they failed see in the application as well as complain about the form ( the Army’s so much easier). 

I receive a call early this morning and again I am told that I am not qualified.  Why?  Because you are not experienced and that for this position education is not important.  Wait, is it a position in charge of all the training in safety?  Yes.  And my graduate course work in training and development is not a qualifier?  No.  So what is it now?  Experience…  Ok, 20+ years experience in safety and I am not qualified?  You need experience in documentation.  Ok, so being a course developer for the Air Force, writing curriculum for graduate and undergraduate courses, writing and executing strategic plans, project management products, and safety assessment reports that must be joyfully read by some pretty high folk enough documentation?  No.  Writing doctoral research papers is not deep enough? No.  You have no experience working at such a high level.  So a faculty chair or director of an OSH program at a college is not considered high?  Being a ground safety manager not high enough? (Reality check – I bet it is because I was enlisted.)
Humility check, but…I have taught safety courses and for over 9 years, aviation safety courses to military officers from the US, Mexico, Belgium, UK, Canada, and Australia; directors of safety at major airlines and companies; and others.  I have taught safety courses for the Air Force at Tinker and Kirtland that had GS11-15s in the classes to bring them up to speed in safety. I have students that make more than twice my 32K a year working for major international companies, yet….

“You might be qualified for a GS 9 and maybe an 11.”   Whoa…..  Maybe????  Surely a 9 but maybe an 11????  I was a ground safety manager at a military base. And ran the operation with success, yet I might could grovel for a 9?  It must be true because I did not qualify for a featherbedding13. 

 

I enjoy working in academia – pay sucks - but I was just thinking of the possibilities.  I will continue to teach those students. But with that I will make a note in my mind that there are those in disassociated positions that are making decisions without cause which not only affect me but will greatly impact unsuspecting students. 

 

 

truth - a test of time

Once in a while I receive an email that I think is worthy of passing on or keeping on file.  Some are pretty believable and depending on my serotonin levels might get wrapped up in the story.  I have found that before going forward with a few I check them out, just to make sure. I have missed a few though. One site is http://www.truthorfiction.com/ and then of course http://hoaxbusters.org/.   

Have you had the experience of the email from Butscumbia Africa?  The one that states that you are the only living relative of Major Whatbitme?  Well, go to http://www.scamorama.com/  and prepare for a good read.  I recommend a cup of coffee, a sweet Dominican Republic handrolled cigar* and time.  Read how some of the followers of scamorama lead these desperate souls along.  I guess I need to get back to work.

 

*For the saintly or healthy, a glass of glass of carrot juice and a smoke free environment.   

That would be TODAY - National Aviation Day

NATIONAL AVIATION DAY: SPREAD THE JOY OF FLIGHT
If you're looking for a reason to hang out at your local airport or introduce a friend to aviation, National Aviation Day, Friday, August 19, provides the perfect opportunity. "Great strides have been made in aviation since Orville Wright's first flight in 1903. Today general aviation aircraft range from light sport aircraft like the Piper J-3 Cub to personal jets like the Eclipse 500," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "In America, we also have a unique freedom that keeps GA efficient and affordable, so we certainly have many reasons to celebrate National Aviation Day." National Aviation Day was first observed in 1939, but why on August 19? It's Orville Wright's birthday. Celebrate the day by taking your friends on a tour of the airport or arranging an introductory flight with an instructor.

Too bad communities don’t have more of an active role in this event. Imagine what would happen if people visited their airport?

FW: ERAU Keeps Top Spot in Best College Rankings

NEWS RELEASE

Embry-Riddle Keeps Top Spot in
U.S. News & World Report's Best College Rankings

Daytona Beach, Fla., Aug. 18, 2005 -- U.S. News & World Report's 2006
"America's Best Colleges" guide has again ranked Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical
University number one in Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical
Engineering
for schools where the highest degree is a master's.

Embry-Riddle, which has the largest aerospace engineering program in the
nation, has won the top spot every year since the category was
introduced in
2001.

"At Embry-Riddle, we strive for excellence in all facets of aviation and
aerospace higher education," said George H. Ebbs, the university's
president. "That we have again been acknowledged by U.S. News & World
Report
for our efforts is a continuing source of pride."

Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus is followed by the U.S. Air Force
Academy in the Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering
category,
with Embry-Riddle's Prescott, Ariz., campus ranking third, tied with the
U.S. Naval Academy.

In two other categories, Embry-Riddle has moved up in the rankings.

In "Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs" where the highest degree is
a
master's, Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus is listed at number 11,
tied
with Milwaukee School of Engineering and Villanova University.
Embry-Riddle'
s Prescott campus ranks number 14, up from 21 last year, tied with
California State Polytechnic University (Pomona) and Lafayette College.

In the category of "Best Universities - Master's" (South Region),
Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus moved from 19th place last year to
13th
this year, tied with Appalachian State University. Rankings for the
"Best
University" category are based on reputation (25%), graduation and
retention
rates (25%), faculty resources (20%), student selectivity (15%),
financial
resources (10%), and alumni giving rate (5%).

Rankings for the engineering programs are based solely on reputation.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully
accredited
university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30
degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation,
Business,
and Engineering and meets the needs of students and industry through
educational, training, research, and consulting activities. Embry-Riddle
educates more than 30,000 students annually in undergraduate and
graduate
programs at residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach,
Fla., through the Extended Campus at more than 130 centers in the United
States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, and through distance
learning.

*****

E-Learning and the issues that affect us

I subscribe to a daily email that comes to my mail box. The publisher of this email offers ideas at least are useful to the academic that is tango deep in online learning. The publisher also offers insight to the world of other issues affecting teaching. Visit http://www.downes.ca/ for more information and inquiry. The previous post of the day was a result of a visit to the site.

http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/2005/08/14/sant_jrl.html A great read on journalism.

See yourself from space

Maybe not a photo of you, but how about your street and even your house??

http://terraserver-usa.com/default.aspx

This is interesting!!!!

A great day for the mountains

It is another weekend and I have been looking forward to this. The weather is near perfect. I am not sure what perfect would be. Had a great cup of coffee after a period of time in the hot tub. The wife and I went to the Fine Arts Center to view the Chihuly exhibit. Now here is a guy that likes to have fun. He uses blown glass as his primary medium. It was interesting to see the videos as they reminded us of our time in Japan and watching the glass blowers on the island of Okinawa.
I hope my philosophy students had the opportunity to pay homage to such great work.

Protests Tuition hike rate

A student had this to write regarding the recent tuition increase by CCCS. Here is to our program surviving!!!

To College Relations and other interested parties:

When registering for on-line classes this evening I was totally astonished and disappointed that Red Rocks College has raised on-line tuition by 76% and has enacted this exorbitant increase in only one semester.

I am in the middle of a certificate program and these costs are an assault to my family’s financial well being. I most likely would not have started this certificate at the new rates and continuing my studies to an AAS degree may now be out of reach. On-line education is my only means of continuing education as I live in a remote location. I also enjoy the diversity of ideas and target the specialized course offerings at varying institutions.

What are the motivations at your exemplary institution in excluding fellow Americans through such unequal and accelerated tuition increases? On-Line education… no heat, no electric, very little facility wear and tear . A special technology fee, yes. A 76% increase in one semester could be construed as attempted elimination of all non Colorado residents with limited means. Are the boundaries between the states getting thicker? Let’s care for our children and let the neighbors eat cake. What a unified country we would be with that attitude.

Forget my personal situation and laments but consider that this tuition structuring is a tremendous set back for knowledge sharing between the states and within each discipline. The sharing of knowledge, ideas, and resources makes the world a better place to live in. U.S. colleges and institutions should start by eliminating the territorial (state) discrimination which incur unnecessary educational limits.

Each trade or discipline should speak up loudly for the free and equal access to the shared knowledge base of this Country by fostering on-line education and treating all on-line U.S.A. students equally.

I live in MA. and have spent my On-line education dollars over the past 5 years in CA. ,MI. and CO. for program content not geographic reasoning. (Hello…the # 1 reason and # 1 strong point of ON-line education! ) Perhaps future affordable On-line education will have to be from MA. Institutions if this academic discrimination creeps into all school Bursars offices.

James Kielawa Nantucket MA 8-10-05

E-mail: jk@benchmarkinc.net

FW: Top 100 Companies for Working Families

This is interesting

Subject: Top 100 Companies for Working Families

Embry-Riddle Ranks Among Top 100

Family-Friendly Companies in Central Florida

Daytona Beach, Fla., Aug. 8, 2005 – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University was named one of Central Florida’s Top 100 Companies for Working Families at the Top 100 Awards Luncheon held Aug. 5 at Universal Orlando Resort.

Compiled annually by the Orlando Sentinel and published in the Aug. 7 edition of the newspaper’s Florida Magazine special section, the Top 100 list honors the local companies most committed to family-friendly policies.

Embry-Riddle has 2,000 full-time employees worldwide, 1,255 of them in Central Florida. As the world’s largest university specializing in aviation and aerospace, Embry-Riddle educates more than 30,000 students annually at its residential campuses in Daytona Beach and Prescott, Ariz., and through its worldwide Extended Campus, which is headquartered in Daytona Beach.

“Our employees who have families clearly appreciate tuition waivers, a paid time-off plan, and health insurance with vision and dental coverage,” said Irene McReynolds, university director of human resources. She added that Embry-Riddle benefits have been available to an employee’s domestic partner since 2003.

Committed to assisting its employees with childcare expenses, Embry-Riddle recently began offering up to four consecutive weeks of adoption leave, with salary compensation ranging from 60 to 100 percent during the leave period. Workers also receive a 10 percent discount on tuition at KinderCare Learning Centers and may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for dependent daycare.

Employees and their family members have access to a world-class education at Embry-Riddle through 100 percent waivers of tuition for credit courses and 25 percent waivers of flight lab fees. More than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in aviation/aerospace, engineering, business, and related fields are available. Another financial advantage for employees is the school’s 403(b) retirement program. Employee contributions are tax-deferred, and the university contributes as well, matching up to 8 percent of an employee’s annual salary.

Embry-Riddle makes sure its employees get plenty of time to spend with their families, starting with 10 paid holidays each year, plus the business days between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Workers also accrue personal leave, which is used for vacation, illness, and so on, and increases with years of service. New employees receive 16 hours of personal leave with their first day of employment and earn between 12 and 18 days of personal leave in their first year of full-time employment.

Employees and their families can use the school’s recreational facilities free of charge to swim, kickbox, and play everything from basketball to badminton. In addition, the university hosts a free Family Fun Day annually for its employees and their family members at an area attraction and offers year-round discounts to Kennedy Space Center, theme parks, and dinner theaters.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates more than 30,000 students annually in undergraduate and graduate programs at residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla., through the Extended Campus at more than 130 centers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, and through distance learning.

###

Jim Hampton
Director, Public Relations
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900
386-226-6182
386-226-6158 Fax
www.embryriddle.edu

Art work

I was testing how this adding photos to the blog works. And I guess I have found out. This is a patch from my first overseas duty assignment - 635th MMS in Utapao.







But with the subject on images, there is a web site that you might want to check out for your selves. The site belongs to some flight attendants that have been hosed out of their retirements. The site is located @ http://www.stewsstripped.com/. Check it out as it has some information and the 2006 calendar for purchase.

A title change

I have been teaching for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for a number of years and have taught many classes for the university. With that comes opportunities that include promotions. I have finally been promoted to associate professor. So if you receive an email from me with that attached, that is me........